The Importance of First Aid Education: Why It Should Be Compulsory in Schools

In the previous year, more than 532,000 young teens had to deal with an intoxicated companion who was sick, hurt, or unconscious. Asthma episodes have affected one-quarter of all young individuals, while one-third of youngsters have had to deal with someone who has had a head injury. One in every five teens has had to assist someone who is choking. According to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (ROSPA), hospitals accept over 60,000 young people each year, with falls being the most common reason for these admissions. These incidents are often exacerbated by excessive alcohol intake and severe sports activities.

Crucially, when confronted with these emergency scenarios, 44 percent of young people panicked, and 46 percent were unsure what to do. But the most intriguing data from the poll shows that 97 percent of young people agreed that first aid education would enhance their lives. This can already give us an idea on why teaching first aid in schools is important. However, it is the duty of parents to teach their children how to give first aid, which requires understanding the different methods of providing aid at home.

Legal Mandates and First Aid

In the state of New Jersey (NJ), it is a legal requirement for all high school students to be certified in CPR at least once before they graduate. Because of the nature of CPR, which involves performing chest compressions on a clinically dead or dying body, it would be difficult to make it a legal requirement for everyone. Still, circumstances vary, and in some cases, it is indeed necessary.

For emergency medical services (EMS) professionals like EMTs, paramedics, and EMT-Rs (Emergency Medical Technician-Refrigerator), there is a “duty to act” clause that mandates them to provide first aid. However, this varies depending on the situation, location, and other available resources. Often, when 911 is called, dispatchers give directions to the caller to initiate some treatment. While these instructions are often limited and useless, they can give the caller a sense of calmness.

Still, one cannot force people to help someone in a vehicle that has been in a 70 mph rollover accident. While it is true that CPR is becoming more and more a “neccessity” to graduate from high school, my high school has required its seniors to pass lay-rescuer CPR certification for at least the past 15 years. CPR is something that you can help with using just your hands. As for most other things, a call to 911 is sufficient, as there is usually an ambulance there relatively quickly.

The Benefits of Teaching First Aid in Schools

Teaching first aid in schools is not only beneficial for the young individuals but also for their families and the community at large. With the increasing number of emergency scenarios faced by young people, it is crucial to equip them with the necessary skills to act in a crisis. First aid education not only empowers young people to save lives but also builds confidence and reduces panic in emergencies.

By integrating first aid education into the school curriculum, schools can create a culture of safety and preparedness. This can lead to a reduction in the number of accidents and injuries, as well as a decrease in the healthcare costs related to these emergencies. Moreover, first aid skills are essential for all members of the community, and teaching them in schools can help create a more resilient and prepared society.

Parental Involvement and Home-based First Aid

Parents play a crucial role in teaching their children first aid skills. It is important for parents to understand the different ways of providing first aid at home and to practice these skills with their children. This can be done through simple exercises and role-playing scenarios. Parents can also encourage their children to learn first aid by participating in first aid courses and by discussing emergency scenarios and their appropriate responses.

By involving parents in the first aid education process, schools can ensure that children have a well-rounded understanding of first aid skills. This can help create a safe and supportive environment for all students, and can also help prepare them for real-life emergencies.

Conclusion

In conclusion, first aid education should be compulsory in schools. It is not only a matter of keeping young people safe, but also of building a more resilient and prepared society. By teaching children first aid skills, schools can create a culture of safety and preparedness, and can help reduce the number of accidents and injuries. Moreover, by involving parents in the first aid education process, schools can ensure that children have a well-rounded understanding of first aid skills and can help create a safe and supportive environment for all students.

For more information on first aid and CPR, check out this recommended article.

Keywords: first aid, CPR, emergency response